Saturday July 20, 2024

JEFF BLACK “Jeff Black has the troubadour quality of a Steve Goodman, the poetic dignity of Bruce Springsteen, and the outer-fringe edge of Townes Van Zandt. We kid you not.”-Steve Morse, The Boston Globe His songs appear on recordings by Alison Krauss, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Douglas, John Oates, Dierks Bently, and more. His music can be heard on the soundtracks of "The Thing Called Love" and the acclaimed PBS documentary "The Appalachians.” A master songwriter and performer, Black was voted one of the top 100 Folk artists of the last 25 years by Boston's WUMB listeners. “A Walk In The Sun,” released in January 2020, is Black’s 12th release. Produced by Black and mixed by Dave Sinko (Chris Thile, Punch Brothers), the album features Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Dave Roe, Jerry Roe and Kenny Vaughan. In the tradition of the great storytellers, his passionate, soul driven live performances of songs from his vast catalog are not to be missed. “His words and voice hold down center stage with a craft so deeply in the artistic pocket that it obscures anything outside" - No Depression "Nothing short of brilliant. Top to bottom, this stuff is special. Black is an artist of substance."-Billboard Magazine PIERCE PETTIS "Pierce has created a musical body of work that is wide and deep. Dip your toe in anywhere and you will want to hear more of my friend Pierce Pettis!" — John Gorka Compass Records Group recording artist Pierce Pettis brings a wealth of experience from his long musical journey. He’s spent decades touring in 49 of 50 states, as well as Canada and Europe. Hailing from Alabama, he embarked on his career at the renowned Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. His musical contributions extended to Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York, recording for Windham Hill/High Street Records in Los Angeles, and a decade-long tenure as a staff songwriter for Polygram and Universal Music Publishing in Nashville. Pettis’s songwriting prowess has left an indelible mark with artists like Dion, Art Garfunkel, Garth Brooks, and Joan Baez covering his work. Notable names such as David Wilcox, Tim O’Brien, Dar Williams, and Claire Lynch have also interpreted his songs. His latest album, “Father’s Son,” released by Compass in early 2019, has garnered widespread critical acclaim. A witty, heartfelt lyricist, Pettis has a voice that carries the acoustic folk tradition, but is refreshingly hard to pigeon-hole." --Charlotte Observer